Thursday, July 16, 2015

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari plans to discuss Islamic terrorist Boko Haram and Nigeria’s economy during his upcoming visit to the U.S. White House. Reports from , U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S Government will pressure Nigeria to accept samesex marriage.

Thomas-Greenfield said “As a government, it is one of the highest priorities and strongest values that discrimination against anyone based on their sexual orientation and gender identity is wrong. We believe human rights should be available to everybody. As a policy, we will continue to press the government of Nigeria as well as other government who have provided legislation against the LGBT community.”

Following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, Obama has received mounting criticism in African nations for his support of the LGBT community. Kenyan leaders have warned the U.S. president not to bring his “gay agenda” with him during his visit to Kenya later this month.

Buhari, however, has so far kept quiet about his stance on same-sex marriage as Nigeria struggles with tumbling oil prices and Boko Haram violence. Nigeria needs U.S. military assistance to fight the Islamist militant group, and the U.S might ask for something in return- that Buhari accept Nigeria’s gay legislation in exchange for U.S. funding.

Obama had threatened to sever foreign aid to Nigeria when then-president Goodluck Jonathan signed a law barring same-sex marriage in the African country in January 2014.